Air moves in and out of a home through every hole, crack, and crevice. Roughly 33% of air infiltrates through walls, ceiling, and floors. Adding an advanced insulation system is necessary to achieve optimal building performance. Lapolla is that advanced insulation system.
Spray foam insulation can maximise a homeowner’s investment by sealing the building envelope to stop conditioned indoor air from escaping and prevent unconditioned air from entering a home. Air exchange in and out of a home is a leading cause of escalated energy bills. The mechanical systems that heat and cool buildings are continuously operating; reducing extreme temperature variations saves on the overuse of mechanical systems and leads to lower energy bills.
WHY SPRAY FOAM INSULATION?
WHERE DOES MY HOME LOSE ENERGY?

Superior energy efficiency mostly depends on creating a better air seal. Wall insulation is a significant issue in home energy savings, but there are other factors that will lower home energy efficiency.
Doors and Windows
Moisture Control
Water and moisture in the building envelope is the single, greatest threat to building durability in residential construction. In addition to causing building-durability issues, moisture can create ideal conditions for mould growth, which can dramatically impact occupant health.
Ceilings, Outer Walls Floors and Crawlspaces
Air Leakage
Unsealed, responsible for about a third of the air leakage in a home.
As much as 40% of energy loss is due to air infiltration. Therefore, the most effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home is to seal it with foam.
LET’S COMPARE THE MOST POPULAR HOME INSULATION PRODUCTS
HOW IT
WORKS
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Spray polyurethane foam acts as a barrier between the home and outside, creating a seal that can conform to any architectural design.
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
Traps air inside tiny glass fibers that contain small bubbles of air, which slows the transfer of heat.
CELLULOSE INSULATION
Made of shredded newspaper and a fire retardant chemical (borate), the paper is broken down into cellular fibers.
DOES IT SEAL
AIR INSIDE
YOUR HOME?
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Yes
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
No
CELLULOSE INSULATION
No
INSTALLATION
METHOD
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Sprayed by a certified spray foam applicator, spray foam can adapt to any structural design.
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
Folded, wrapped and cut to place in walls. Slanted and/or high ceilings and outlets can lengthen installation time.
CELLULOSE INSULATION
Cellulose insulation is blown into walls. The material requires small amounts of water and glue to keep it in place.
R-VALUE
(Imperial Units)
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
6-6.6 per inch thickness (closed cell)
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
2.2 per inch thickness; loses up to R-Value 50% if it becomes damp
CELLULOSE INSULATION
3.5-3.8 per inch thickness
PERFORMANCE IN COLD/HOT
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Excellent thermal properties and a sealant for your home that keeps warm and conditioned air in your home year round.
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
Doesn’t hold in heat well. Loses 40% of insulating capacity when outside temperatures are below -6° C (21° F).
.
CELLULOSE INSULATION
Doesn’t stop air leakage by sealing. Weather will cause wind and air pressure to enter through the small holes in the insulation.
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Most efficient.
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
Less efficient.
CELLULOSE INSULATION
Less efficient for your keeping your home insulated, even though it’s made from recycled newspaper.
HEALTH
HAZARDS
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Polyurethane spray foam insulation consists of diisocyanate, which isn’t scientifically detectable after 1 hour of when the foam ins applied. Installing spray foam requires a professional certification and proper equipment to install it.
FIBREGLASS INSULATION
Fiberglass can be installed by anyone. Due to its long process for insulating around electrical outlets and windows, often insulation isn’t completed properly. Leaky ducts can pull loose fiberglass insulation and spread its particles throughout your home. Its small particles can be inhaled and cause serious respiratory conditions. The resin that bonds fiberglass can also emit small amounts of toxic fumes.
CELLULOSE INSULATION
Not sealing your home means dirt and moisture can cause mold, mildew and bacteria to grow. Blown cellulose insulation is prone to create dust that is then blown through cracks in the walls and creates a health hazard.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SPRAY FOAM?
SAVES MONEY & ENERGY
COMFORTS
PROTECTS
HEALTHIER
STRENGTHENS

MANUFACTURER LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY
RECLAIMS SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF BUILDING
HOW SPRAY FOAM PLAYS A VITAL ROLE
Building scientists are now stressing the importance of air barriers like spray foam insulation in building design and construction. This is partly because many buildings constructed in the past had no air barriers and experienced major failures in terms of moisture damage and mould caused by condensation, which stemmed from air leakage. In addition, research shows that without an air barrier, insulation cannot deliver optimal energy efficiency or comfort. This is why blower door tests are commonly required to measure air tightness in new or renovated buildings.
BUILDING SCIENCE PRINCIPLES
Practicing building science, also known as a “systems approach,” means accounting for the ways all building components interact, including the foundation, walls, lofts, roofs, doors, windows, insulation and mechanical systems. Doing so is critical to optimise building performance and prevent building failures.
Last but not least the building occupants must be educated to behave properly to limit energy losses; the most optimised building with the best insulation will be useless if the occupants do not respect the environment.
The principles of building science include:
• Creating a continuous air barrier combined with proper mechanical ventilation
• Providing thermal resistance and limiting heat bridges
• Managing moisture
• Improving indoor air quality
• Using appropriate heating systems.
The Lapolla AirTight spray foam insulation that we install addresses all of these principles to help building and design professionals practice building science techniques with ease. The benefits are verified through extensive research and testing performed on all Lapolla products worldwide.
LIMITS OF R VALUE
R value measures insulation’s ability to limit conductive heat flow (heat that is transferred through it). But the primary method of heat transfer is not conductive heat flow — it’s air leakage, which can account for up to 40% of a property’s energy loss.
In addition, R value only does so much to prevent even conductive heat flow. Beyond a certain point, improving insulation R value makes very little difference, if any. Above a certain thickness of insulation material the heat flow reduction due to conduction reaches a plateau. In fact, the cost of improving R value alone can actually far outweigh the energy savings that result, meaning it will take much longer to break even.
Therefore, the best way to increase efficiency is not merely to improve R value, but rather to combine R value with an air barrier. Lapolla AirTight spray foam insulation provides both in a single step.
CONTACT US TO START SAVING NOW!
We 100% specialise in the installation of high performance polyurethane spray foam insulation in domestic and commercial buildings.
We are certified and approved installers of the market-leading Lapollo range of insulation systems.
We operate throughout London and the South East of England.
Contact us now for a free home assessment and insulation survey.